were not Quakers.* He, however, observed to the bishops, that it was by no means the intention of Friends to publish such events, and thereby give the king, and their other adversaries, any advantage against them.

ROBERT BARCLAY was in London for the -last time in the memorable year 1688.+ He visited James 2d.; and being with him near a window, the king looked out, and observed, that the wind was then fair for the prince of

Orange to come over.' ROBERT BARCLAY

replied • it was hard that no expedient

could be found to satisfy the people.' The king declared he would do any thing becom

ing a gentleman, except parting with liberty ⚫ of conscience, which he never would whilst 'he lived.' At this time BARCLAY took a

*This was a period of intolerance which has given place to a more enlightened and Christian temper. It is but justice to say, that the elergy in general possess a liberality of sentiment, very different from the spirit of that day.

+ Memoirs

final leave of the king, for whose troubles he was much concerned; and with whom he had been several times engaged in serious discourse,, on the posture of affairs at that time.

After he returned from London, he spent the remainder of his life, being about two years, chiefly at home; where he enjoyed the esteem. and regard of his neighbours, and the comforts of domestic society. In the year 1690, he accompanied James Dickinson, a minister from Cumberland, in a religious visit to some parts of the north of Scotland; and soon after his return from this visit, he was seized with a violent fever, which, in a short time, put a period to his life. James Dickinson was with him at the time of his illness. It was a solemn season; and their spirits were deeply affected with a sense of the Divine goodness. ROBERT BARCLAY, though much oppressed by the disorder, was in a truly resigned, peaceful, and Christian frame of mind. He expressed his love to all faithful Friends in England, and

4

to all the faithful every where; particularly to friends in Cumberland where James Dickinson resided, and to George Fox, for whom he had a special regard; and concluded with these comfortable expressions: God is good still:

and though I am under a great weight of • sickness and weakness, yet my peace flows.

This I know, that whatever exercises may be 'permitted to come upon me, they shall tend to God's glory, and my salvation: and in that I rest. **-He died the 3d of the 8th month, (October,) in the year 1690, and in the 42d year of his age. His body was attended to the grave at Ury, by many of the most respectable persons in the neighbourhood.

Before the conclusion of this part of the account respecting ROBERT BARCLAY, it will probably be agreeable to the reader, to survey the qualities and virtues of this respectable man,

drawn together and placed in a single point of view. From the testimonies of George Fox,

Piety Promoted. Cough, 3d vol. p. 247.

William Penn, Patrick Livingstone; and Andrew Jaffray, men who knew him well; and from his life and writings; the following character of ROBERT BARCLAY is faithfully delineated.

He was distinguished by strong mental powers, particularly by great penetration, and a sound and accurate judgment. His talents were much improved by a regular and classical education. It does not, however, appear that his superior qualifications produced that elation of mind, which is too often their attendant: he was meek, humble, and ready to allow others the merit they possessed. All his passions were under the most excellent government. Two of his intimate friends, in their character of him, declare, that they never knew him to be angry. He had the happiness of early perceiving the infinite superiority of religion, to every other attainment; and Divine grace enabled him to dedicate his life, and all that he possessed, to promote the cause of piety and

virtue. For the welfare of his friends, he was sincerely and warmly concerned: and he travelled, and wrote much, as well as suffered. cheerfully, in support of the society and the principles to which he had. conscientiously attached himself. But this was not a blind and bigoted attachment. His zeal was tempered with charity; and he loved and respected. goodness wherever he found it. His uncorrupted integrity and liberality of sentiment, his great abilities and the suavity of his disposition,. gave him much interest with persons of rank. and influence; and he employed it in a manner that marked the benevolence of his heart. He loved peace; and was often instrumental in settling disputes, and in producing reconciliation between contending parties.

In the support and pursuit of what he be lieved to be right, he possessed great firmness. of mind; which was early evinced in the pious and dutiful sentiment he expressed to his uncle, who tempted him with great offers to remain in